‘衬裙’ (chèn qún) is a compound noun meaning ‘petticoat’ or ‘slip’—a lightweight undergarment worn beneath a dress or skirt to add volume, shape, or modesty. The first character, 衬 (chèn), means ‘to line’, ‘to pad’, or ‘to serve as an underlayer’, while 裙 (qún) means ‘skirt’. Together, they literally convey ‘a skirt that serves as an underlayer’. Historically, 衬裙 was essential in traditional Chinese formal wear and Western-influenced fashion from the early 20th century onward.

Today, 衬裙 is still used in contexts involving vintage clothing, bridal wear, stage costumes, or modesty-enhancing outfits. It’s more common in written descriptions, fashion texts, or older generations’ speech than in everyday casual conversation among young urban speakers, who may prefer loanwords like ‘slip’ or simpler terms like ‘内裙’ (nèi qún, ‘inner skirt’). Though functionally similar to modern slips, 衬裙 often implies a fuller, stiffer, or more decorative style.